Traders block Katuna border

About 200 trucks and passenger vehicles were on Friday blocked from crossing to Uganda and Rwanda at Katuna border by traders enraged by the alleged murder of their colleague in Rwanda.For about three hours, the business community and residents of Katuna closed the road that leads to Kigali and Kabale District, demanding an explanation into the death of Dickson Tinyineondi.

Money exchangeThey had just learnt that Tinyineondi had been killed at Mukasekye Trading Centre in Gicumbi District at around 8pm, 40 kilometers from Katuna border town. Tinyineondi, 31, was dealing in money changing business at the border town. He left for Rwanda with 1.3 billion Rwandan Francs to exchange with dollars.

He was allegedly killed on his return to Katuna. The money belonged to him and other 20 fellow dealers. Traders carried placards accusing Rwandans of murdering several of their colleagues. Details of how Tinyineondi was killed were still scanty by press time. However, Uganda’s ambassador to Rwanda Richard Kabonero said he was following the matter.

“I am already in touch with Rwanda police to establish the cause of his death and how he was killed. I am waiting for their report,” he told Sunday Monitor by telephone. Kabale District Police Commander Bosco Arop said they have dispatched police and the relatives of the deceased to Gicumbi to find out more about the death.

Traffic normalisedAddressing the residents, Mr Arop said Ugandan authorities were following up the matter. The traders later opened the road and traffic had normalised by press time.